Musicians Hotei, Machida fight over music

Guitarist Tomoyasu Hotei is currently in trouble for physically assaulting writer and rock singer Ko Machida. The two have been friends for many years, but they apparently got into a dispute over music. On June 13, the two men and a few other people stayed at Hotei’s vacation house in Chiba. On the morning of the 14th, they returned to Tokyo in the same car, but got into an argument along the way. The two have worked together many times before, and they recently began talking about forming a band together. However, it seems they had differing opinions about the direction of the project, causing the passionate Hotei to become violent.

On the 18th, Machida filed a report with the Chiba police, after obtaining a medical certificate saying that wounds to his face and upper body would take two weeks to heal. Although Hotei had already apologized for the attack, Machida insisted on taking the matter to the police.

Hotei’s agency has sent out a media release apologizing for his actions, but added that he wasn’t the only one using violence. Hotei is currently giving his statement to the police.